Louisiana Restaurant Association Scholarships
Scholarship Sponsored by Louisiana Restaurant Association Education Foundation
Overview
The LRAEF Scholars program provides financial support to qualified individuals who are pursuing post-secondary and graduate education with the goal of building a career in the culinary, foodservice, tourism, or hospitality fields. Awards are based on merit and the amount available; the foundation may consider exceptions for applicants with special circumstances. Scholarship funds are paid directly to the recipient’s educational institution after the student’s full-time enrollment is verified. Awards may be applied to tuition, required books, fees, and room and board. Scholarships cover one academic year (fall–spring). Students must submit a new application each year to be considered for the following cycle.
2026 Awards (one application covers all)
Applicants submit a single application to be considered for any of the scholarships below, depending on eligibility as determined by the LRAEF Scholars Committee.
- Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers Scholars: Four $5,000 awards, the program’s top honors, for Louisiana students who demonstrate an exceptional commitment to careers in restaurants, foodservice, tourism, or hospitality. ProStart students who have completed the Certificate of Achievement will receive top consideration.
- Jim Funk Scholarship: One distinguished award named for longtime LRA CEO and LRAEF founder Jim Funk.
- LRAEF Scholars: Awards for qualified Louisiana students planning careers in the restaurant, foodservice, tourism, or hospitality industries.
- Louisiana Seafood Scholarship: A $5,000 award funded by the Louisiana Seafood Promotion & Marketing Board for a qualified applicant who is interested in cultivating, protecting, and promoting Louisiana seafood.
- Management Scholarship: In partnership with the Lester E. Kabacoff School of Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Administration at the University of New Orleans (UNO), this scholarship provides up to $5,000 to incoming or continuing students pursuing a Master of Science in Hospitality and Tourism Management at UNO.
Eligibility Requirements
- Undergraduate applicants: Must be accepted to or currently enrolled in an accredited undergraduate (associate or bachelor) or graduate degree program and be scheduled for at least two consecutive semesters/terms of full-time study as defined by the enrolling institution. Eligible fields include, but are not limited to, culinary arts, hospitality and tourism, business, culinary/FACS education, or management programs that prepare students for careers in the restaurant, foodservice, tourism, or hospitality sectors or for teaching culinary education. Certificate programs are not eligible. Scholarship recipients must maintain full-time status (typically a minimum of 12 credit hours or the equivalent as defined by their school) and a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 while receiving an award.
- Graduate applicants (UNO Master’s program): Must be accepted to or currently enrolled in the Master of Science in Hospitality and Tourism Management at the Lester E. Kabacoff School of Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Administration, University of New Orleans. Recipients must enroll for at least 6 credit hours per semester (or the UNO-defined equivalent) and sustain a minimum GPA of 3.0 while awarded the scholarship.
- Residency/attendance: Applicants must be a Louisiana high school graduate (or a current Louisiana high school senior) and/or be a college student attending a Louisiana culinary or hospitality program.
Additional Details
- Awards are merit-based and amounts may vary according to available funds.
- Payments are issued directly to the educational institution after the student’s full-time enrollment is confirmed.
- Funds may be used for tuition, required books, fees, and room and board.
- Scholarships are granted for one academic year (fall–spring); recipients who wish to receive support in subsequent years must reapply.
- The LRAEF reserves the right to make exceptions based on individual circumstances.